The New Zealand Government has begun a massive IT upgrade to provide more seamless internet access to 200 schools around the country.
About the Initiative
According to a recent press release, Te Mana Tūhono – Technology in Schools work programme will launch with a pilot of 10 smaller state schools early this year.
IT equipment, which gives students access to the internet in their classrooms, will be replaced.
In addition, Crown-owned company, N4L, will extend its helpdesk services to inside schools so there will be a single point of contact for all internet access issues.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins explained that they want New Zealand to be the best country in the world to grow up as a child.
This translates to all students having access to the best education possible no matter where they live or what their background is.
Since schools are becoming more reliant on the internet in order to deliver the curriculum, there is a need to ensure that all schools have access to high-speed internet that is reliable, resilient, safe and secure.
Background
Internet connections in schools can be vulnerable because of their location or difficulties finding the right IT support.
Schools do a great job delivering world-leading curriculum, preparing learners to be connected, global citizens.
However, they are often faced with the difficulty of finding the expertise they need to maintain reliable, high-speed connection.
This programme is yet another way the Government is supporting schools to give every child the best chance to succeed.
Principals and Boards of Trustees of these schools can now be confident they have access to the support and tools for their students to thrive.
The pilot will inform the roll-out of the programme to the other 190 schools by mid-2020.
Similar Initiative
South Australia has a similar initiative.
SA Premier Steven Marshall said that fast and reliable internet was vital to delivering the modern, world-class education that the students deserve. High-speed internet is increasingly central to modern learning.
The rollout of fast, reliable internet to all public schools in South Australia (SA) by the State Government has recently reached a major milestone as it passed the 100,000 student mark, with the connection of Norwood Primary School.
Government schools located at all points of the compass, including metropolitan Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge and Port Augusta, have been hooked up to fibre optic internet providing speeds up to 1000 times quicker than their previous connection.
The aim is that 507 school sites are set to be connected via a fibre optic network by mid-2020 while the four remaining sites will be using other solutions to deliver a high-speed connection.
The students and teachers are looking forward to accessing a wider range of learning resources and support online.
Fast, reliable internet improves the access of teachers to the tools they need to deliver high-quality education.
Additionally, it also means that the students will be able to tap into a wealth of learning resources that would otherwise be beyond their reach, with opportunities to connect with the world.
A fast, reliable internet connection helps them to access more learning resources and deliver lessons in interesting and engaging ways.
